On December 22, 1988, in the small village of La Armenia, Tolima, a boy named Jorge Elías Rojas Vásquez was born. He was the youngest son of Ángel María, a coffee farmer, and María Mercedes, a devoted homemaker. Life took a tragic turn when Jorge's father passed away when he was just five years old. From the age of twelve, he worked diligently on the family farm, learning the secrets of coffee cultivation.
In 2010, Jorge's hard work paid off as he purchased his own farm, La Roca, which spanned 4.5 hectares and specialized in exquisite coffee varieties like Caturra, Geisha, and Pacamara. His passion for quality coffee led him to join the Asociación de Productores Ecológicos de Planadas (Asopep) in 2015, where he enhanced his harvesting techniques after receiving high scores in coffee tastings.
Driven by a desire for excellence, Jorge sought knowledge from experts like Hernando Tapasco and Julián Cucuñame. He earned a diploma in coffee quality and drying processes, which propelled his craft to new heights. His efforts were soon recognized; in 2018, he won the Millennials Coffee Competition, followed by the Café Planadas por el Mundo auction in 2020, and clinched first place in the Tolima roasted coffee contest in 2023.
Jorge’s coffee gained international acclaim, especially at the World Coffee Challenge in Madrid, where he won the award for the best honey-processed Arabica. His meticulous management of La Roca, from planting to roasting, earned him strong partnerships in China and highlighted his farm in the luxury coffee market.
Not only did Jorge thrive, but he also believed in giving back. He conducted workshops and shared his knowledge with the community, ensuring that the legacy of coffee farming in Tolima continued to flourish. Through hard work and dedication, Jorge Elías Rojas Vásquez transformed his life and the lives of those around him, proving that dreams can be brewed into reality.
Boxes: |
15 |
Variety: |
Gesha/ Caturra |
Weight: |
793.66 |
Process: |
Washed/Fermented |
Region: |
Tolima |
Rank: |
YBX |